A 30-year-old professional BASE jumper crashed into the Maskamberg near Vanrhynsdorp, resulting in a call for assistance to the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre.
Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR), a team comprising professionals and volunteers, rushed to the scene to provide aid.
The BASE jumper suffered a line twist while jumping from the top of the 150m high cliff, which led to a cliff strike as his parachute opened and spun around, slamming into the rock face before tumbling to the base of the cliff.
The jumper’s friends immediately called for help, but the bad weather prevented any helicopters from reaching the site.
The WSAR teams from West Coast, Winelands, and Cape Town were immediately dispatched to the location despite the dark conditions.
After a briefing session, the team hiked up to the patient’s location, which took approximately two hours. The patient was then treated and put onto a stretcher, and the teams carefully lowered him down a second cliff face using a rope system.
After reaching the base of the cliff, the team commenced a seven-hour-long stretcher carry back to the vehicles, over steep, rocky, and broken terrain, using ropes to belay the stretcher safely.
The patient was finally transported to a waiting Netcare911 medical helicopter and flown to the hospital. The incident was concluded on Friday morning, 14 April, shortly before 8am.
David Nel, the spokesperson for WSAR, praised the team’s dedication, saying, ‘There was no trail to follow, and the team did a fantastic job safely carrying the patient while navigating in the dark.’
Nel also thanked all the rescuers for their commitment and passion and wished the patient a speedy recovery.
Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) is a collaboration between government agencies and civilian volunteer organizations that specialize in search and rescue. The public is urged to save and remember the WSAR Emergency Contact Number, 021 937 0300.
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